ChessE4

I think Royal underestimated how important the food is. We can live with once a day room service and inflation based price increases, but service and overall experience are paramount.

It's not about being afraid, it's about recognizing how contagious it is. We always need to support public health. Self- quarantining is one way, going to medical is another. When sick, you need to do something to support safe cruising. 

6 hours ago, KsSailing said:

Hello!  I am traveling on the Oasis of the Seas, leaving Barcelona on May 12.  I arrive in Barcelona on May 11.  Does anyone have a hotel recommendation?  Preferably close to the port?

Thank you!

k

We stayed at Hotel Colon, which is on the plaza for the Catedral.  Short cab ride to the port.  As stated, it's fun to wander around the Gothic Quarter.  We had breakfast in a pastry shop nearby.  There is a market within a few blocks' walking distance, and of course an ATM next to the hotel. The desk staff speak English, if that is a concern.

Some information is proprietary, and there are also security issues. Hence RCL should be consulted, as stated already.

I have noticed a similar trend. But 7 months out we were hounded for CP purchases for Sep 24 Baltimore. No let up now...

For Aqua Show, arrive early to get seats close together. As an aside, reconsider whether everyone needs to do everything together. Sometimes one needs a little space to relax. Maybe one event a day together is enough. Just a thought...

11 hours ago, SteveG said:

We have confirmed that the Vision of the Seas will be leaving out of Norfolk for our April 12th sailing.  RCL is dropping a day from the itinerary and only offering a $75 onboard credit for losing a day of cruising!  Not happy with RCL

My Allianz policy for a different cruise provided 100 for missed port. So 75 is close but certainly less.

4 hours ago, TheresaN42 said:

I'm going on Symphony in July, this is my 2nd cruise (first one was 17 years ago). How do I dress for the Formal night again? It's me and my 17 year old son. 

A lot depends on your original plan/purpose for the trip which will drive what you pack.  I always recommend dressing as an adult would when eating at a nice restaurant.  That reflects my age.  Younger people tend to be more casual.  It's just that each ship has so many casual eateries, formal night is an opportunity to create an atmosphere in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Restaurant that is an experience in itself.  Cruises are more than sandy beaches, but how you behave on a vacation is up to you in the end.  Some vacationers are more self-focused while others look for a win-win that accommodates the wide diversity of cruisers on Royal Caribbean.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!.

2 hours ago, Katiemay0101 said:

I waited until just before both my kids turned 18 to get them their own C&A number. I was told if they have their own number before they're 18 they only accrue the points from the cruises they took but if you wait until just before they're 18 they inherit the level you are at. I don't know if this has changed or if I had it wrong but it worked out well for us because now both kids are just shy of diamond. Happy cruising!

Kate

No need to wait.  Our son had our status and accrued points simultaneously.  Since we cruised as a family, it really didn't make any difference.  There were separate C&A benefits for kids at the time, so he received his own letter in our stateroom based on his/our status at the time.

On that topic, take extra OTC products. On our Jan cruise in Tahiti my wife got sick and ship store didn't have anything useful. Apparently, she ate bad cheese at LAX but didn't get sick until after we boarded. Was afraid to go to medical, despite my urging.

If you haven't seen Mayan pyramids, try a Chacchoben tour.  The port area has gift shops, etc. If you exit the port you can take a taxi or "tractor" to Mahahual, walk through town, eat, and shop. The port area is somewhat tacky and maze-like, but many love it-- there is a bar with a pool.

If he had a number, his points should have been accruing all along, earning pins, youth C&A discounts, etc.

While it's frustrating to draw a room with cosmetic or maintenance issues, it's also important to look at the ship and cruise as a whole. In 19 cruises I've only been on a "newish" ship twice. Every ship has had scratched furniture, occasional plumbing problem, or the odd noise at night. Ditto for land based hotels and resorts. I'd be more concerned about a constellation of issues on a single voyage, eg, bad service, bad food, bad entertainment, and a bad room. The smaller and older ships have discounted fares for a reason. Still, I don't like to be disappointed. In the end I try to manage expectations, and I actually enjoy vision class vessels.

Get Travel Agent who will work the issues for you. Prices on alternative cruises will increase, so the sooner you get a date you can commit to, the better off you are. Make sure you have travel insurance and understand coverage for cancellation.

Invoice should be ship time. Royal uses ship time. Compass will show arrival, onboard, and departure times in ship time.

I use my voucher for Caribbean Coconut at Cafe Promenade in the afternoon to supplement Crown Lounge cap in the AM. As others have said, lounge espresso is OK but not great. Sometimes I buy a coffee card.

You'll be fine, but any person should rehearse/plan how to deal with problem situations, whether difficult people, lost items, or Royal service mistakes. Stuff happens.

1 hour ago, Midwest Cruiser said:

One last question, We have not received our refund for the ultimate drink package for the canceled cruise. Has anyone had experience as to who to ask for when calling in?

Last time I called Royal customer care the phone system gave me the option to speak to someone about a previously completed cruise. So listen for that option when you call the number on the website.

26 minutes ago, Butters530 said:

We are skipping formal night in the MDR because we don’t want to dress up in formal attire. 
 

Don’t really want to, but don’t want to offend. Is this the right solution? I don’t want stares because we aren’t dressed to the nines…

You won't get stares, usually. We lost luggage once and only had travel clothes. That is my first thought when I see someone in shorts. You are entitled to enjoy the meal, which used to be a nice one.

For me, another reason not to do Chef's Table. I can eat casual elsewhere, if I'm in that mood.

36 minutes ago, Fastfaller said:

I have already cashed in my points and applied them to my rooms. I am wondering if and where I can see the on board credit in the app or on the website.

It should show up in Cruise Planner  when you log in. If there is a delay in crediting your redemption, call the rewards center so they push it through. When onboard existing credit should show Day 2.

You know the OBC by looking at the points. If I have 5000 points, I can get 50 on redemption. You save your redemption confirmations until the CP displays your OBC. 

3 hours ago, SMiller said:

For sure! I wouldn't expect it if we didn't have travel insurance. Do you know which Allianz policy you've seen it on?

 

it's on one we just had for a cruise in South Pacific.  It wasn't the basic coverage, but an enhanced one.

Checking policy now. Missed port is separate from shore excursion coverage, and missed port includes substitute ports. Low/high water coverage covers river cruising issues, like changing ships or using land based alternatives.

Yes, the itinerary can change. That isn't the point. The point is whether you are receiving the value of what you insured. When there is a substitute port, it's harder to argue your loss. You aren't suing Royal, so the contract isn't relevant, but that is just my opinion. Who has actually claimed this provision?